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Parker Waichman LLP has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a man who was implanted with the Biomet M2a Magnum™, a metal-on-metal hip implant that has been named in over 100 adverse event reports to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Metal-on-metal hip implants have come under scrutiny due to reports that they tend to fail at high rates; research suggests that this alleged defect is most likely due to the release of cobalt and chromium ions.

Research shows that the metal-on-metal hip implants are associated with a higher rate of revision surgeries compared to other types of implants used in total hip replacements (THA).

New York, New York (PRWEB)December 13, 2012

Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by defective medical devices, has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Biomet M2a Magnum™ hip implant caused a host of complications in a New Jersey man and ultimately forced him to undergo revision surgery. The suit was filed on November 20th in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey (Case No. 2:12-cv-07201-SDW-MCA). Biomet, Inc. and Biomet Orthopaedics, LLC have been named as Defendants.

According to the Complaint, the Plaintiff received the Biomet M2a Magnum hip implant in his left hip. Thereafter, his implant failed and allegedly caused severe pain, instability and elevated chromium and cobalt levels. The suit alleges that these complications resulted in a revision surgery. As a result of the allegedly defective implant, the Plaintiff suffered severe and possibly permanent injuries, pain, suffering, emotional distress and economic loss.

The lawsuit also holds the Defendants liable for failing to warn about the risks associated with using the Biomet M2a Magnum. According to the Complaint, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already received over 100 reports of adverse events linked to the device at the time the Plaintiff received his implant; the Defendants, however, refused to disclose this information to the Plaintiff, his orthopedic surgeon, or the public. The suit also states that, as a direct result of the Defendants’ actions or inactions, the Plaintiff is now more susceptible to injuries in the future because revision surgery is more complex and has a higher risk of complications.

Research shows that the metal-on-metal hip implants are associated with a higher rate of revision surgeries compared to other types of implants used in total hip replacements (THA). A study published in the Lancet found that all-metal hips fail at a rate of 6 percent in 5 years, compared to 2 percent seen in plastic or ceramic devices. Researchers have found that the issue is mostly due to the release of metallic debris, such as cobalt and chromium ions. A recent study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Disease found a possible biological mechanism to explain how the release of metal ions may lead to side effects; the presence of cobalt ions appears to trigger an immune response leading to inflammation and possibly pseudotumors.

A study published in the December 2012 issue of the Orthopedics journal documents the case of one woman who developed cystic lesions in her iliopsoas bursa (located in the hip) 5 years after undergoing total hip arthroplasty with a metal-on-metal hip implants. The cyst, which was accompanied by markedly high levels of cobalt and chromium ions, appears to have caused venous obstruction and subsequently, lower limb swelling. According to the authors, this condition seems to be caused by the release of metal ions from the edge loading seen in the woman’s all-metal hip replacement.

Parker Waichman LLP continues to offer free legal consultations to victims of metal-on-metal hip implant injuries. If you or a loved one experienced premature failure of your implant or other health problems associated with a metal-on-metal hip implant, please contact their office by visiting the firm's Defective Hip Implants page at yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636).